What We Do

The Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships and mentoring services. We look back proudly on 20 years of growth. Beginning with one scholar in 1996, we have cumulatively provided an opportunity for a fresh start to over 170 women attending local colleges and universities.

Scholarship Program

Our scholarship program has grown as our pool of applicants has increased. As we look ahead to expanding our impact, we are intensifying our efforts to reach further into the community to identify deserving women whose lives would be improved if only they could complete their education. We are particularly seeking women who have faced personal and financial challenges but have the determination to change their own destiny and that of their families through education. These are the women we wish to reward with a fresh start!

Mentoring

Fresh Start provides more than financial assistance. Unique to our program, each scholar is offered a mentor who provides guidance and encouragement to help her stay focused on the long term benefits rather than short-term challenges of managing family, job and school work. Mentors regularly remind their scholars that the pride of their accomplishments will far outlast the difficult journey to achieve them.

Mentors are professional women in the community who volunteer to help with the goal being to match mentor expertise with scholar field of study. The mentor-scholar arrangement is mutually rewarding. The mentor has the satisfaction of having impacted a deserving woman’s life and the scholar personally coached to the finish line – graduation! But the relationship doesn’t end there. In most cases, the friendship continues and the mentor remains available to guide and help her scholar network with other professionals and assist with career choices following graduation.

“Fresh Start has been my key to opening many doors. The financial support was a major part of my success but without the help of my mentor, I would not have been able to overcome the many obstacles I had to face while receiving my education.”

-Margo H., Delaware State University

Mentors are currently chosen from the Wilmington Women in Business membership with the goal of matching mentor expertise with scholar field of study. The mentor-scholar arrangement is mutually rewarding. The mentor has the satisfaction of having impacted a deserving woman’s life and the scholar personally coached to the finish line – graduation! But the relationship doesn’t end there. In most cases, the friendship continues and the mentor remains available to guide and help her scholar network with other professionals and assist with career choices following graduation.

“As a recipient of the scholarship I felt supported, not only by the members of the organization but particularly by my mentor. She often reached out to see if I needed encouragement to keep working toward my goal or moral support. Fresh Start made me feel like someone was truly on my side and I will always feel grateful for their help and for recognizing my accomplishments.”
-Jane L., Delaware Technical Community College

What We Do

Mentors Make The Difference…

About Fresh Start

The Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation, Inc. is the charitable arm of Wilmington Women in Business, Inc. (WWB). We award college scholarships to women returning to college based on need, academic record and potential for success. We provide mentoring support to our scholars through professional women in the community.

About WWB

Wilmington Women in Business provides a forum for personal and professional development to empower women, promote growth as leaders, make valuable connections, and to develop strategies to lead balanced lives.